Make More or Spend Less

Some words of advice from a friend: "If you want to get out of debt you have to make more money or spend less." Right-o! Even better, why not do both? I'll tell you why. It is just not that easy.

Let start with making more money. I figure I have 3 options to increase my cash flow:

1) Get a raise

I have been in my current position for almost a year now. I have been itching to march into my bosses office and demand a raise...but I never do. Since this is my first job out of college, I have never had to ask for a raise before and I am not sure how people go about doing it. Do they just say "Hi Boss, I would like a raise"? And if I did ask for a raise, how much more money should I ask for? I'm afraid of being too pushy and since my annual review is coming up soon (I hope in about a month) I am just going to wait it out. So since this option has not been very fruitful I can always,

2) Get a better paying job someplace else

Ya, right! There isn't exactly a demand for college graduates with a degree in anthropology. Here is my tip for the day: If you are still in college, do NOT major in anthropology or any of the other social sciences/humanities unless you want to spend the next 10 years of your life in school. Major in something practical like engineering or computer science that you can actually get a job in after you gradutate. Don't believe me? Do a search on monster.com for entry level jobs in the anthropology field and you will see what I mean.

3) Find a supplemental income

Everyone knows that Ebay is a great place to make a little extra dough. Why not me? I decided to make iPod tattoos and sell them on Ebay and put all the profit directly towards my credit card debt. Almost everyone has an iPod nowadays and it is in our human nature to want to put our own personal touch on everything. Look at how many people buy special ring tones for their cellies! I designed a few of my own and put them on Ebay for $3.99. I have probably made $100 selling them so far which is not a lot in comparison to my debt. But hey, it's a start. You can check them out here:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZlpkitten

Buy one, it will go towards a good cause.

Current debt: $19,794.23 as of May 15, 2005, 1:12 p.m PST